The Death Market *Obi x OC* (COMPLETE)

Far Away

Song: Far Away - Breaking Benjamin

Mitsuhide, Iladriel, and I make it to the gates of Wistal Castle three days after leaving Harlowe with Molina. I promised both of them that I would come to check on them within two weeks. They seemed hesitant around each other but Harlowe offered to help prepare breakfast before we left and they managed to do that without issue. I think they'll be fine. Iladriel looks terrified as we walk across the castle grounds toward the castle itself. I took her sword from her, to make her appear less threatening to Master once we find him. She never said who exactly took her parents from her but I doubt Master was behind it. There's a good chance that they were simply taken by the knights for something that happened and Master and Prince Izana have no idea about any of it. I'll introduce her to Master and try to gain her permission to stay at least overnight. We'll ask about her parents as well and see what happens.

Iladriel's unease gets worse as we make our way through the castle corridors and I find her clinging to my arm while we walk. With my free hand, I rustle her hair and despite her grumbled complaints, there's a small smile on her face. By the time we reach Master's office she is shaking. I ask Mitsuhide if he will go on inside to get permission for Iladriel to enter. That will give her a few more seconds to gather herself at least. Once the door is shut behind him, she looks up at me with wide eyes and asks if Master is going to put her in prison.

"As long as you don't try to kill him, I think you'll be fine. Prince Zen is a fairly nice person."

"If I die because of you I am going to haunt you so hard." She grumbles as the door opens and Mitsuhide motions for us to come inside.

Things aren't going very well. Not very well at all. Iladriel walked in with me no problem, but as soon as her eyes fell on Master behind his desk, she tried to tackle him. I managed to catch her around the waist but she slipped out of my grip and Mitsuhide had to scramble to stop her too. She's unarmed and eleven so she wasn't too much of a threat but it's still never good to attack a prince. Together Mitsuhide and I were able to catch her without letting her near him, and now she's lying on the floor on her stomach with my legs draped over her waist to hold her down.

"Let me go Obi!" She growls.

"Why are you so upset at Master? I thought you wanted to talk to him." I ask as she glares over at me.

"Good God why are you so fat!? I wanted to talk to him before I realized that he's the man who ordered his people to take away my parents!"

I turn to Master with an arched brow as he studies her curiously. "Did you have her parents taken away?"

"I'm not sure... Who are you?"

"I am Iladriel Bellaphim and you are a spineless, useless, pathetic excuse for a person! How dare you call yourself a prince when you care not for your own people? How dare you carry a sword when you make others to do your bidding?"

"Calm down Ila, you're not going to get answers this way." I warn her. "Master, she just wants to know where her parents are. I came across her during our travels and she was separated from the person who was caring for her in their absence. I agreed to take care of her and help her find answers."

"She's understandably upset." He sighs as he starts to flip through a series of folders. "I will allow Obi to release you but if you attempt to attack me again you will not get the answers you want."

"Can you stay calm for us, Ila? Torin wouldn't want you to end up in trouble because of your temper."

She grumbles a series of complaints and insults under her breath but stops struggling and agrees to not attack him.

I help Iladriel to her feet and keep my hand on her shoulder as we wait for him to tell us something, anything that could potentially lead to finding her parents again. He stops sifting through papers suddenly and starts to read one before a frown crosses his face. Oh no. That can't be good.

"Obi, could you come here?" He asks without looking up.

"T-They're dead... aren't they?" Iladriel asks softly as she grabs my shirt to keep me from leaving her side.

I meet Master's eyes and I can read it clearly. I exhale quietly as I look back at her tear-filled eyes.

"Ila-"

"H-How...?" Her voice comes out wobbly as her free hand clenches into a fist at her side. "How could you?" Her voice is stronger now, thick with anger while trying not to cry. "How could you take my parents from me and let them die?! They were all I had and I was left in one of the most dangerous places in the world while you took them from me! I-I can't even go home now and I left it behind to find my parents..." Tears are pouring steadily down her cheeks as her shouts fade into a soft whisper. "I'm alone again..."

"Ila, I'm so-" I start, but she releases my shirt and within the blink of an eye, she's gone and the door slams shut behind her. "Master, what happened to her parents?"

"They abducted a nobleman's daughter and tried to use her for ransom a year ago. I had gone out with the knights to continue the search for the girl and when we found them, we took them into custody. They were tied to several more theft related crimes and were sentenced to death and were executed four months ago."

"Why didn't you take Iladriel? Not even for execution, just so she wouldn't be left alone?"

"She wasn't there when we found them and they never spoke of having a daughter."

"Can I find her and have her stay for a night or two until I find someone that can take her in? I have a favor or two I can cash in on nearby so one of them may care for her."

"That's the least I can do...Where did you find her and where did you find my sword?" He asks before I can leave the room.

"The Death Market."